The Summers County K.I.D.S., formally known as the Hinton Area Elementary K.I.D.S. unofficially got their start on the bridge over the New River in 1994, when asked by the then mayor’s wife, Carla Leslie, to put together a show to honor the Veterans.  The group of 40 little volunteers put on a stunning show that connected the arts with the youth and the youth with the adults in our community.  The group of 40 grew to a troupe of 50 and went on to perform  the high school production of The Wizard of OZ.  Because of the success of these young performers, Sr. Joan Coleman, Barbara Parmer, Martha Livesay, Jim Irwin and Patty Jeffries spear-headed the creation of the Hinton Area Elementary Drama Club.

 Every year brought new talent, new challenges and new opportunities to show what kids can do with their talents.  With a cast of 90 elementary performers, the first production, “Clowns” played in Hinton and Raleigh County. During the 1996-1997 school year, the Drama Club officially became the HAE K.I.D.S. ( Kids in Dramatic Studies).   As an elementary troupe, the K.I.D.S. pulled off shows like Peter Pan in Neverland,  The Wizard of OZ,  and Annie and brought aboard the local and very talented artist, Carol Jackson, who created sets that helped bring all our productions to life.  

With the addition of students from Summers Middle and High Schools and outlying schools the HAE K.I.D.S. became the Summers County K.I.D.S. encompassing and welcoming any student who lived in the county.  The K.I.D.S. produced more Broadway hits  such as Oliver!, Honk! Fiddler on the Roof, Children of Eden, Seussical, Willy Wonka and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Shrek, Legally Blond, and Elf  in addition to the not so well known but equally entertaining, Jack and the Giant, and Tiny Thumbelina.   Throughout the years, the K.I.D.S. have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Capitol, the Cultural Center as well as at other elementary schools in Southern West Virginia.  They wowed the audiences at Railroad Days, the Water Festival, the State Judicial Conference, the Festival of the Rivers and the Lilly and Gwinn Family Reunions.  They welcomed troops home from overseas, honored Veterans, sang at Arbor Day Celebrations,  basketball games, ribbon cutting ceremonies and dedications, entertained for local clubs and churches and the West Virginia State Board of Education. For years, they were part of Pipestem State Park’s summer entertainment at the Amphitheatre.    They were also given the opportunity and honor of singing for Senator Byrd and their picture hung in his Washington, D.C.  office.